Myth: Cats should
drink milk everyday.
Fact: Most cats like milk, but do not need it if
properly nourished. Also, many will get diarrhea if they drink too much
milk. If it is given at all, the amount should be small and infrequent.
Myth: Cats that are
spayed or neutered automatically gain weight.
Fact: Like people, cats gain weight from eating too
much, not exercising enough or both. In many cases, spaying or neutering
is done at an age when the animal's metabolism already has slowed, and
its need for food has decreased. If the cat continues to eat the same
amount, it may gain weight. Cat owners can help their cats stay fit by
providing exercise and not over-feeding.
Myth: Cats cannot get
rabies.
Fact: Actually, most warm-blooded mammals, including
cats, bats, skunks and ferrets, can carry rabies. Like dogs, cats should
be vaccinated regularly according to local laws.
Myth: Indoor cats
cannot get diseases.
Fact: Cats still are exposed to organisms that are
carried through the air or brought in on a cat owner's shoes or
clothing. Even the most housebound cat ventures outdoors at some time
and can be exposed to diseases and worms through contact with other
animals feces.
Myth: Tapeworms come
from bad food.
Fact: Pets become infected with tape worms from
swallowing fleas, which carry the parasite. Also, cats can get tapeworms
from eating infected mice or other exposed animals.
Myth: Putting garlic
on a cats food will get rid of worms.
Fact: Garlic may make the cat's food taste better
but has no effect on worms. The most effective way to treat worms is by
medication prescribed by a veterinarian.
Myth: Pregnant women
should not own cats.
Fact: Some cats can be infected with a disease called
toxoplasmosis, which occasionally can be spread to humans through cat
litter boxes and cause serious problems in unborn babies. However, these
problems can be controlled, if the expectant mother avoids contact with
the litter box and assigns daily cleaning to a friend or other family
member.
Myth: A cat's sense of
balance is in its whiskers.
Fact: Cats use their whiskers as "feelers"
but not to maintain their balance.
Myth: Cats heal
themselves by licking their wounds.
Fact: Such licking actually can slow the healing
process and further damage the wound.
